Source India Today
HAVANA — A deadly maritime confrontation erupted Wednesday morning off the northern coast of Cuba, leaving four people dead and six others wounded aboard a Florida-registered speedboat. According to the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, the incident occurred near Cayo Falcones, approximately one nautical mile from the shoreline of Villa Clara province.
The Cuban government reported that the vessel, bearing registration number FL7726SH, was intercepted by a border guard patrol unit after it illegally entered territorial waters. Havana alleges that the occupants of the speedboat initiated the violence by opening fire on the five-man patrol team.
Key Details of the Incident
Casualties: 4 killed, 6 wounded (all on the Florida-registered vessel). 1 Cuban commander injured.
The Vessel: A 24-foot Proline speedboat registered in the state of Florida.
The Seizure: Cuban authorities claim to have recovered assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, and camouflage military gear from the boat.
The Allegation: Havana has labeled the mission an “armed infiltration for terrorist purposes.”
Identities and Background
The Cuban Interior Ministry identified the individuals on board as Cuban nationals residing in the United States. Among the six survivors currently in custody, two were identified as Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, whom Cuba claims were already wanted for previous “terrorist acts.” One of the deceased was identified as Michel Ortega Casanova.
In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. is “gathering its own information” to verify the facts and determine the legal status of those involved. Rubio emphasized that no U.S. government personnel were involved in the operation.
“The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable,” Florida Representative Carlos Giménez posted on X, calling the incident a “massacre.”
Geopolitical Context
This clash comes during a period of extreme friction between the two nations. Following the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in early January 2026, the U.S. has tightened its economic grip on Cuba, particularly regarding oil shipments.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has already weighed in, calling the incident an “aggressive provocation by the United States” intended to escalate regional conflict.
